World Footy News

In the first match of AFL IC11 Game Day 7 the two winless teams looked to open their International Cup winning account.  The Western Oval in Royal Park, Parkville, Melbourne was not looking the best surface after extensive drainage works were done here some weeks ago.  But the weather was fine and warming up to burn off the dew and both sides were keen.

Of course there could be only one winner and today India recorded their historic first ever victory in international Australian football.
 

Both teams suffered large defeats on Friday and both have had their fair share of injuries in the tournament so far.  It was Timor Leste who got the ball rolling early through Barros de Jesus (#7).  It was short lived however as Himat (#7) for India kicked two in a row late in the quarter to give India a quarter time lead of four points.

Neither team dominated in the air in the second quarter but Timor Leste’s speed and tenacity on the ground showed out as #24 (unlisted) goaled and Pinto Quinão (#1) goaled off the ground to put Timor Leste further ahead.  #24 (unlisted) for Timor Leste kicked his second to give his team a seventeen point lead at half time.  

The third quarter was dominated by India as Himat (#7) kicked four goals to put his team within reach just three points down as Timor Leste could only add one goal through #28 (unlisted).

In the last quarter India kicked away with three more due to Timor Leste dangerously kicking the ball to the centre out of defence. In the end India was too strong finishing 9.6 (60) to Timor Leste’s 8.4 (52) as Timor Leste hung on in the last quarter but could not regain the lead.

The winners celebrated with an outpouring of emotion that only a win after such hardship can bring.  For some of the players their IC journey began back in the lead up to the 2008 tournament, which resulted in no wins.  This one was sweet.

It was also an improved performance by Timor Leste who will have one last chance to notch a maiden win on Friday.
 

India 9.6 (60) defeated Timor-Leste 8.4 (52)

India
Goal Kickers:  J. Himat 8, V. Rishi
Best Players:  J. Himat, V. Rishi, P. Kailasanathan, A. Gupta

Timor Leste
Goal Kickers:  I. Da Silva Amaral 3, A. Fereirra 2, J. Pinto Quinao 2, A. Soares De Jesus , C. Britto
Best Players:   C. Britto, N. Moniz Da Silva, I. Da Silva Amaral, D. Fereirra, A. Agapito Maria Guterres Da Costa, R. Gouveia Barreto